WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pres`en*ta"tion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. praesentatio a showing, representation: cf. F. pr?sentation.]
Definition : 1. The act of presenting, or the state of being presented; a setting forth; an offering; bestowal. Prayers are sometimes a presentation of mere desires. Hooker.

2. Hence,

Defn: exhibition; representation; display; appearance; semblance; show. Under the presentation of the shoots his wit. Shak.

3. That which is presented or given; a present; a gift, as, the picture was a presentation. [R.]

4. (Eccl.)

Defn: The act of offering a clergyman to the bishop or ordinary for institution in a benefice; the right of presenting a clergyman. If the bishop admits the patron's presentation, the clerk so admitted is next to be instituted by him. Blackstone.

5. (Med.)

Defn: The particular position of the child during labor relatively to the passage though which it is to be brought forth; -- specifically designated by the part which first appears at the mouth of the uterus; as, a breech presentation. Presentation copy, a copy of a book, engraving, etc., presented to some one by the author or artist, as a token of regard.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913